report 2016-2017 - alzheimeralzheimer.ca/montreal/~/media/files/chapters-qc/montreal/richard/... ·...

annual report 2016-2017

board of directors and personnelThe Alzheimer Society of Montreal wishes to note that its board members are volunteers. We are most grateful to them.

Executive Committee

President: Nora H. Kelner, Ph.D.Vice-President: Robert Beaudoin, M.Sc.Comm.Treasurer: Marco Speranza, CPA, CMASecretary: Fergus V. Keyes, C.Dir.Administrator: Mona Beck, B.ScN., M.Ed.

Directors

Rita Bonar, MSW, Ph.D.Dolly P. Dastoor, Ph.DMichael Litwin, CPA, CACarole Mireault, BScNGeorges Pigeon, CPA, CAMathieu Roy, CPA, CAYaniv Saragosti, LL.B., J.D., B.Com.Luc Thibaudeau, LL.L.François Touchette, BAA, MBAColette A. Vanasse, MBA

Personnel

Executive DirectorGérald Hubert, MBA

Director of Programs and ServicesApril Hayward, BTS

Director of Financial DevelopmentGérard Briand, MBA

Communications Coordinator Christine Lessard, B. Comm.

Coordinator — Financing Development Réginald Godin

Coordinator — VolunteeringRachel Dimanche

Program CoordinatorsTeresa Anuza (Education), Laurence Beaumier-Grant (Family Services), Raffaela Cavaliere (Respite and Stimulation), Marie-Pier Foucault (Services for People Living with Dementia; Assistant, In-Home Respite and Stimulation), Pascale Godbout and Liza Lanouilh (Art Therapy), Jessica Seidman (maternity leave) and Marie-Christine Le Bourdais (Counselling Network)

Counsellors Jacques Couture (North of Montréal), Generosa de Cubellis (East of Montréal), Jacinthe Duval (Centre-South of Montréal), Liliana Ponce De Leon (West of Montréal), and Jordan Fish (Intake and Referrals)

Administrative SupportPierre Bourassa (Management), Élisabeth Désy (Fundraising), Richard Steele (Reception), Lucie Sylvestre (Documentation), and Stephanie Tave (Programs and Services)

TrainersGisèle Coziol, Dayna Morrow, Harneet-Kaur Singh, Huguette Pagé and Marie Christine Le Bourdais

Ahuntsic Activity CentreMelinda Di Minno (chef d’équipe), Suzanne Paquette, Helen-Ann Chehab, Christina F. Codignotto, Samkeliso Ndhlovu and Melissa Marsillo

Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount Activity CentreLinda Banks (Team Leader), Francesca Gentile, Andrew Mrozinski, Linda Scalzo, and Ingrid Marsela Rosales

Lachine Activity CentreAlexandra Louridas (Team Leader), Fatima Beg, Ashley Gordon, Amanda-Leigh Mirarchi, and Dorothy Patel

Replacement StaffJulie Eskenazi, Marie-Pier Foucault, Cherish Johnson, Caitlin Moynan, Angelica Koller, Pettie Thobekani Mabhena, Nathalie Racine and Cristina F. Codignotto

Support Group FacilitatorsLuc Armand, Luc Boudreau, Jacques Couture, Generosa De Cubellis, Jacinthe Duval, Gilberte Fleishmann, Marie-Pier Foucault, Bernie Goulem, Jessica Gozlan, Laurence Beaumier-Grant, Monic Masson, Huguette Pagé and Liliana Ponce De Leon

In-Home Respite and Stimulation WorkersGuilaine Bienvenue, Pascale Godbout, Jessica Korenstein, Tristan McElheron, Elianne Moran, Claire O’Brien, Linda Scalzo, Nathalie Racine, Lisa Marie Vetro, Alexandra Louridas and Samkeliso Ndhlovu

InternsCaitlin Moynan – Special Education, Lasalle CollegeAlexander Mattias – Special Education, Collège Vanier CollegeGabrielle Leduc – Art Therapy, Concordia UniversitySophie L. Latendresse – Art Therapy, Concordia UniversityAlisha Menha – Marketing, Concordia University Oumou Keita – Marketing, Concordia University

Photo on the cover Mural: Mémoire du cœur — Artist: Julian Palma for MU — Photo: Olivier Bousquet

alzheimer society of montreal4505 Notre Dame Street West, Montréal, QC H4C 1S3Tel.: 514.369.0800 [email protected]/en/montreal/Charitable registration number: 10798 7448 RR0001

table of contentsMESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTNAND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ...................5

SERVING MONTREALERS ..........................................................................................6

INTAKE AND REFERRALS .....................................................................................7

SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER’S..........................................9

ART THERAPY .................................................................................................... 11

RESPITE AND STIMULATION ........................................................................... 12

COUNSELLING NETWORK ................................................................................ 14

MAP OF THE SERVICE POINTS .......................................................................... 17

SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS .............................................................................. 18

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ..................................................................................20

A RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATION ...........................................................................22

SOLID SUPPORT ......................................................................................................25

MEMBERS ...........................................................................................................25

VOLUNTEERS ..................................................................................................... 26

STAFF .................................................................................................................. 27

DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURE ..............................................................................28

PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS .......................................................................... 29

A STRONG PRESENCE ............................................................................................. 32

IMAGES OF THE YEAR ............................................................................................34

MISSION The Alzheimer Society of Montreal is committed to alle-viating the social and personal consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, as well as promoting research into their causes and cure.

Published in English and in French, the Alzheimer Society of Montreal’s annual report is distributed to all members, part-ners and related organizations. Anyone interested in dementia may request a

copy or consult the Society’s website.

CoordinationApril Hayward

WritingOdette Lapointe

TranslationKeren Penny

Graphic designJulye Maynard

ISSN Print: 1926-3120

Thursday, November 10, 2016, was an important day for the Alzheimer Society of Montreal. On the occasion of National Caregiver’s Week, we invited caregivers and volunteers to a delicious brunch. Afterwards, we unveiled the mural “Mémoire du Coeur” to mark the 35th anniversary of our organization.

In this photo, a few distinguished guests stand proudly in front of the new image of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal.

From left to right : Michael Litwin (Board member), Ava Couch (Executive Director of Town of Mount Royal), Gérald Hubert (Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal), Julian Palma (multidisciplinary artist and creator of the mural “Mémoire du Coeur”), Nora Kelner (President of the Board of Directors), Robert Beaudoin (Vice-President of the Board of Directors), Elizabeth-Ann Doyle (Cofounder, Artistic and Executive Director of MU), Benoît Dorais (Borough Mayor of Sud-Ouest, City of Montreal), Isabelle Gautrin (Political Attachée in the Saint-Henri / Sainte-Anne Constituency), Chantal Rossi (Associate Councillor for Culture, Heritage and Design, Executive Committee, City of Montreal), Fergus V. Keyes (Secretary of the Board of Directors), Rita Bonar (Board member).

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 5

message from the president and the executive directorMémoire du cœur, the mural that has graced the wall of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal’s building since November, adorns the cover of this year’s report. In addition to celebrating the Society’s 35th anniversary, this work anchors its identity in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood.

Its creator, Julian Palma, has wonderfully rendered the essence of our mission, which is to accompany and support with warmth and humanity Montrealers living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Moreover, the organic nature of the image evokes the complexity of the disease and the multiple interactions involved in coping with it.

The life of a charitable organization is as fragile as that of any human; we can take nothing for granted, which is why last year was less than restful for us. To adapt to the changing needs of the population and address a precarious financial situation, the Society had to once again conduct a review of its programs and services, along with each person’s responsibilities, which has resulted in a thorough restructuring that marks the first step in a comprehensive strategic planning exercise.

Nevertheless, it must be stressed that the work and integrity of everyone who contributes to the Society in either a paid or a volunteer capacity, remains above reproach, especially with respect to our programs and services. The following pages attest to the volume, diversity, innovative character and quality of our initiatives and fundraising activities.

To substantially increase its revenues, the Society joined forces with the Federation of Quebec Alzheimer Societies and launched a major, Québec-wide five-year fundraising campaign, whose ambitious target for Montréal was set at $4,500,000. Spear-heading the campaign is a prominent business leader, who is presently in the process of setting up a committee to help achieve

this objective. The drive and energy invested by professionals from the business community is of inestimable value in this undertaking.

In the meantime, as we will no longer be organizing an annual ball, a committee is currently working on replacing it with an event whose “signature” is sufficiently distinctive for it to be immediately identified with the Society and its cause.

The Society counts on the creative, efficient and meaningful contribution of each person to ensure successful interdisciplinary collaboration. Its very survival depends on this. And while it is underpinned by the work of a solid internal team, the Society also relies on the community to complement its work as well as on the indispensable contributions of donors committed to a global approach of “action through investment.”

Finally, this year, the Society has allowed itself to dream. Begin-ning with the words “In an ideal world…,” we present some of our hopes and dreams for the future of each of our services. Here is the first. .

President, Executive Director,

Dr. Nora Kelner Gérald Hubert

In an ideal world…The Alzheimer Society of Montreal would

be financially independent, which would allow it to return to offering all its services for free and thus provide the community with ample access to its programs. It could renovate its basement and create a permanent activity and services centre adapted to every stage of the disease. It would also be able to carry out many innovative projects aimed at making life easier for people living with the disease and their caregivers.

6 | ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017

Over the years, the Alzheimer Society of Montreal has put enormous effort into creating a multidisciplinary team dedi-cated to developing and implementing programs to support people living with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and health providers through every stage of the disease.

The first contact with our head office may be made in person, by phone or via email. A person in the early stages of the disease and their caregiver may be invited to take part in peer information and support groups well as other Society programs, and may be referred to the counsellor responsible for their territory.

The caregiving role can be both gratifying and demanding. The Society offers stimulation programs which, while benefiting the person with the disease, also provide respite for caregivers. The stimulation activities take the form of in-home sessions, day programs, art therapy workshops and others, offered on a weekly and monthly basis.

It is no longer unusual to know someone with Alzheimer’s disease, and the phenomenon is expected to intensify as the population ages. To address this, the Society has launched scores of information initiatives, including conferences, the Documentation Centre and Alzheimer Cafés. As well, it offers specific Alzheimer-related care training to health providers.

In addition, the Society promotes the national MedicAlert® Safely Home® program, which is a partnership between the Alzheimer Society of Canada and MedicAlert, designed to help identify a person who is lost and assist in their safe return home.

This year, we refocused the development plans for each territory within its Counselling Network, taking into account the characteristics and needs of each community, our priority actions and our available human resources.

With the help of a consultant, we harmonized our assessment and intervention tools in accordance with current professional standards. The new forms, which will soon be added to the Society’s database, will allow us to improve our professional practices, harmonize our programs and better support our clients through individualized intervention plans.

In tandem with the ongoing major restructuration, we will redefine our services, each person’s role and the Society’s collaborative model. Upon completion of this complex self-as-sessment exercise, we will produce a guidelines and procedures manual that will respond to the needs of both our staff and our volunteers, with new job descriptions and recommendations that will be included in our strategic plan.

And finally, the Society proudly adheres to the maxim “Alone, I go faster; together, we go further.” The spirit of collabora-tion that presently exists in the community is channeling the

serving montrealersFounded in 1981 by caregivers intent on demystifying the disease, the Alzheimer Society of Montreal remains true to its tradition of modeling its actions based on the needs of the population and on the most recent research findings. It remains deeply committed to a person-centred approach.

April Hayward (Director of Programs and Services) along with Margaret Bernas at the Society’s annual BBQ.

SERVING MONTREALERS | 7

Until last year, Intake and Referrals was manned by a team of counsellors, each of whom dedicated one day a week to the task. Since April 2016, these duties have been under the responsibility of an experienced social worker, who is extremely familiar with both the health network and the reality of older adults. Along with Reception, the Intake and Referrals service acts as a welcome committee for the Society.

Someone wanting to make contact with the Society—com-monly a caregiver—phones, writes or comes in person to our offices. This person might have heard about our organization from someone else or through the media. Or they may have been referred to the Society directly by a health professional, occasionally through the First Link® program and ideally at the time of diagnosis.

one consultation, one counsellor

The main advantage of the first consultation is to allow the counsellor to take the time to create a real connection with the person—who often feels quite vulnerable at this stage—and establish a genuine bond of trust with them to help ease their feeling of helplessness. Should that person later have to make another request, they will be assigned the same counsellor. This way, they don’t have to repeat their story to someone else and are dealing with someone they already trust.

Once the nature of the request has been identified, the person will be referred to the appropriate internal and external resources, but they will also be advised to regularly meet with their doctor for monitoring and follow-up, use the services offered by their local CLSC and other neighbourhood organizations, and take part in the Society’s activities for support and information. Pertinent documentation is given to the person or mailed to them later.

intake and referralsWe understand that receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia can be overwhelming. One of the mandates of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal is to respond to questions that inevitably come up and refer people to the best resources available.

energies of all stakeholders to great effect. We are currently taking part in the second phase of the Quebec Alzheimer Plan, developed as a direct result of the acclaimed Bergman Report and aimed at creating a safety net in which all com-munity stakeholders play a part. Its goal is to ensure that no one slips through the cracks and, say, ends up in a hospital emergency room. The Alzheimer Society of Montreal’s role in this undertaking is indispensable.

Director of Programs and Services,

April Hayward

In an ideal world…We would be able to improve our data collec-

tion tools, thus enabling us to better understand needs and be even more effective. Among other things, this would facilitate the job of reporting to the Society’s funding agencies and would allow us to focus more of our energy on our services. But this is a costly exercise that requires the services of consultants and the purchase of expensive software.


standardization exercises This year, the counsellor also sat in on a committee to develop a new assessment and intervention form designed to trace a clearer portrait of each case for stakeholders: its goal is to standardize the way information is collected and to facilitate the follow-up process.

In addition, this counsellor is taking part in reviewing the guidelines and procedures for the Programs and Services per-sonnel, a mammoth undertaking that will continue throughout the coming year.

intake and referrals – a few figures

CONTACT PROFILES

Caregivers 1 348 Students 33

People with the disease 37 Community organizations 70

General public 35 Private organizations 32

Professionals - health and social services 111 Other 30

GENDER

Women 1 250 Men 473

LANGUAGE

French 1 072 Other 1

English 642

TYPE OF CONTACT

Telephone 1 460 Email 103

In person 115 First Link® 76

In an ideal world…Intake and Referrals would have more staff,

which would allow it to continue offering dedi-cated front-line services.

The Society would like Montrealers who are suffering in silence to know that the Intake and Referrals services are there for them. A simple call, an email or a visit to our offices is all it takes.


The Alzheimer Society of Montreal offers a support and infor-mation group for people in the early stages of the disease, which encourages participants to express themselves and exchange ideas with their peers, find support and socialize.

The group is offered twice a year and looks at such topics as brain function, memory and medications, coping strategies, relationships, adjusting to change, community resources and healthy lifestyle practices. Participants also engage in social stimulation activities.

flexible activitiesOnce again this year, a monthly support group and a monthly social group were offered to people living with dementia to encourage participants to socialize with others.

Members of both these groups have expressed their wish for a more regular activity, which could become part of their routine. Accordingly, next year, the support group and the social club will be merged into one weekly group named the Monday

Meet-Ups. They will offer a variety of enjoyable activities adapted to the needs of participants. Note that should the need arise, we will create a new monthly support group.

The key word will be “adaptability.” Activities could be pre-planned or spontaneous, depending on the situation, and could be tailored to the group or to an individual who may prefer doing an activity, such as a jigsaw puzzle, by them-selves. If they wished, participants in the morning art therapy workshops could eat lunch at the Society and then take part in the Monday Meet-Ups in the afternoon, for a full day of socialization and stimulation activities in a family atmosphere.

private meetingsIf need be, the person living with the disease may request a private meeting, without their caregiver, to discuss their concerns. The counsellor will do their best to respond to the client’s questions and needs. For example, someone with mild symptoms who has just left their job may want to undertake some volunteer activities to maintain their social skills while continuing to feel useful.

This year, a total of 53 CONSULTATIONS and FOLLOW-UPS were conducted, which was twice more than last year. In all, 20 PEOPLE took part in the two 8-week support groups, and 26 JOINED in the monthly support groups. The annual barbecue drew 44 PEOPLE, also double the number that attended last year, and 9 PEOPLE took part in the Wolfelele workshop.

Thanks to the success of the second edition of the Wolfelele workshop, we will be offering it again next year. Participants build their own ukulele and learn how to play it under the direction of Wolf Kater.

support for people living with alzheimer’sA person who has recently received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease needs time to take in the situation. They also need a welcoming place where they can participate in creative and fulfilling activities, socialize or just relax without the disease being the centre of attention. They must feel cared about and confident enough to be themselves without worrying about being judged. It’s all about the right to a quality of life.

Participants pose with holiday centrepieces they created in one of our workshops : Marie-Hélène Blouin, Denise Sévigny–Soulières, Margaret Bernas, Anne-Marie Parent, Philippe Parent, Marie-Françoise Marchal.


Westmount Public Library has asked the Society to help run their Tales & Travels series, a five-week program in which people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers explore a country through books, videos and photographs. The person in charge of the activity will be making a presentation on this program to Montréal librarians. Let’s hope this initiative leads to more like it, both in Westmount and elsewhere.

projects

New this year as well, we offered two Christmas craft work-shops: one on table centrepieces and the second on wreaths. So many beautiful creations came out of these workshops that the idea of a Christmas market is being considered. Any of the decorative pieces that participants and their caregivers wished to donate would be sold at the market, with proceeds going to the Alzheimer Society. The project should be firmed up this fall. To be continued...

We are also exploring the possibility of combining the forces of the art therapy program and our support services for people living with Alzheimer’s to set up an intergenerational activity in collaboration with a neighbourhood school. After meeting each other, students and/or people living with the disease could make a drawing or a painting to remember their time together. Also being further considered.

Testimonials “The workshop allows us to meet people a little like us, to not feel alone anymore.”

“A group and a teacher like you are invaluable.”

“Thank you for everything. It gives us hope.”

“It broke our isolation. The fear of isolation has completely disappeared. The activity was filled with humour, strength and energy.”

“I really enjoyed the workshop and the people who attended it. It introduced us to some of the ways we can make life easier for someone who is growing older. All the participants were pleasant and friendly. ”

— People living with dementia

Marie-Hélène Blouin participating in our Wolfelele workshop along with Gerrine Doucet, a volunteer.

Alexander Mattias, a Special Care Counselling student from Vanier College, is showing Michaël how to use a Cuban musical instrument during the Tales and Travels program.

In an ideal world…There would be a permanent, drop-in space

at the Society, which people could use whene-ver they wanted. But even more pressing would be an awareness program for organizations in contact with the public to help identify people with Alzheimer’s and refer them to us. Such a pro-gram, which could take many forms, would make it possible to help people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.


To be their best, someone with dementia needs to become engaged in projects, express themselves, socialize, live in the moment, develop their independence and have fulfilling experiences; they need stimulation.

Art therapy is an activity that uses the creative process of making art to promote the socialization of an individual living with the disease. It involves the whole person, engaging emo-tional, cognitive, social and sensorial functioning. It keeps feelings of failure at bay and builds self-esteem.

a supportive setting for artistsWhile the art therapist more or less takes on the role of artistic director for the budding artists taking part in the workshop, the caregiver is a trusted ally who understands the value of art therapy and diligently brings the person living with Alzheimer’s to the workshops. A “collateral benefit” of this collaboration is that the caregiver is able to take advantage

of a few hours’ respite with the assurance that their loved one is happy and being well cared for in a place where they will develop bonds through respect and pleasure.

The Alzheimer Society of Montreal currently offers 4 TWO-HOUR WORKSHOPS per week, up one from last year. These workshops are attended by approximately 20 PEOPLE, some of whom come to create art several times a week.

a popular exhibitionArtwork by art therapy program participants was on display at the vernissage held on June 16 during the Society’s Annual General Assembly. As every year, this event proved highly popular and was a resounding success.

A project of ours that has been simmering on the back burner for a while is the idea of producing greeting cards adorned with the work of participants in the art therapy workshops. The idea would be to showcase the work of people living with the disease, raise funds for the Society and, ultimately, promote its services. All potential sponsors welcome!

art therapyA diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other dementia doesn’t necessarily spell the end of all possibilities. Skills and abilities, along with the capacity to acquire new ones can remain for years.

Margaret Bernas is delighted to pose with one of her artworks. She hasbeen a loyal participant in the program since it began eight years ago!

In an ideal world…We would create an art therapy workshop for

people living with Alzheimer’s in neighbourhoods that are far away from the Society’s head office, for people in the more advanced stages who need more personalized activities tailored to their individual needs, and for caregivers who also need to express themselves and recharge their batteries. In collaboration with the support services for people living with Alzheimer’s, we would establish an intergenerational program, which would consist of an artistic mediation project benefiting both young people and older adults alike.


respite and stimulation Even though a lot can be done to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, its advancement is inevitable and sometimes long. It can drain the most informed, best-equipped and well-intentioned caregiver. At the same time, is important to know that even individuals in the later stages of the disease can benefit from certain types of stimulation.

The Alzheimer Society of Montreal created its Respite and Stimulation services to offer caregiver a few hours of relief. They allow the person to rest or attend to other obligations with peace of mind, knowing that the person living with the disease is in the hands of a professional in a safe and stimulating environment.

a qualified teamThe Society has a multidisciplinary team made up of qualified professionals or students currently enrolled in special care counselling, recreation leadership training, therapeutic recre-ation, gerontology, art therapy and zootherapy programs. We select our personnel based on their understanding and ability to implement and uphold the Society’s care model, needs evaluation methods, best practices and values. The team is helmed by an experienced coordinator who keeps abreast of the latest research and provides ongoing mentoring.

the art of creating close linksCommitted to being an active player in the community, for several years already, the Society has enjoyed a partnership with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The museum supports the creation of links between art, culture and people living with the disease through cultural mediation activities, such as the Art Links program, which takes place one Friday per

month and offers individuals with dementia the chance to visit the museum and take part in a workshop. In all, about 50 PEOPLE are signed up for the program, and between 15 AND 20 PARTICIPANTS attend every month. This year, the museum inaugurated the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for Peace in November 2016, and participants in the program had the privilege of touring the rooms that house its permanent collection.

Maria enjoys an art activity in the comfort of her own home via our In-Home Respite and Stimulation Service.


In an ideal world…Thanks to the generosity of donors, renova-

tions to the Society’s basement would soon be completed. With the expected surge in the rates of Alzheimer’s disease over the next few years, the need for specialized services is bound to grow. A fourth activity centre could serve the population in the Centre-South and even from across Montréal every day of the week and not just on Saturdays! Among other benefits, this would allow us to broaden the range of activities we offer and better adapt them not only to people living with dementia but also to their caregivers.

for clients who can come to us

The Society runs three activity centres, in Ahuntsic, Lachine and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, which are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The flexible admission criteria allow people in both moderate and more advanced stages of the disease to participate. The staff-to-client ratio is 1:3, and each centre can accommodate between 12 and 15 participants. This year, they provided services 44 WEEKS PER YEAR, offering 7,010 HOURS OF RESPITE TO 58 FAMILIES. It is important to note that this weekly 5-hour block of time is often the only break available to a caregiver, since the health network only provides services for individuals in the early stages.

At the centres, people living with dementia get the chance to be themselves, without being judged, in an environment adapted to their needs. The staff members are there exclusive-ly for them and provide responsive care that creates positive feelings for everyone. Their approach is to get to know the individual first, so as to be able to adapt their interactions with them, take any upsets in stride and reassure the person. Above all, they bring true compassion and dedication to the work they do.

This year, we updated the waiting list for the activity centres, which reduced it to 36 people. This has given us a more accurate overview of the needs of our clientele and allowed us to identify which families could be referred to available programs. We will continue to update the list to be able to meet the most urgent needs more easily.

It should be noted that the Henri-Bradet day activity centre in NDG has closed its doors. With the generosity of the CIUSSS, this service has moved into the St-Margaret Day Centre and has been renamed the Westmount Activity Centre.

or we can come to them

For those who would have a difficult time getting to us or who are looking for a more specialized approach, the In-Home Respite and Stimulation program provides the person living with Alzheimer’s the opportunity to engage in a range of activities that are stimulating, focused on the here and now, and developed by qualified professionals. Even if the individual may not remember the activity, it will be imprinted in their emotional memory for a certain length of time, bringing them a feeling of well-being. A further benefit is that the in-home activity specialist is available to offer the caregiver tips on coping with delicate situations or to discuss any matters of concern.

The in-home respite and stimulation services are provided in weekly blocks of 2 to 4 hours. In all, this year the program provided approximately 120 HOURS OF DIRECT INTERVENTION to a total of 46 FAMILIES every week.

Testimonials “A huge thank you for the help you gave me and that you continue to give me, and for the precious services you offer me, as a caregiver, and my mother, who needs assistance in her home. Without your help, we wouldn’t be able to give my mother the help she needs to stay at home and go about her daily life. Words aren’t enough to express how essential you are for us.”

“I wanted to write to you to tell you how much your organization has benefited us. I took part in a workshop that helped me better interact with my grandmother. … I learned a number of techniques on how to connect with her, and now I understand why she was behaving in certain ways. Not only that, but I really appreciated the few hours’ respite that allowed me to recharge my batteries and be at my best when I was with my grandmother.”

— Caregivers


At the moment, we have four counsellors covering four out of the five territories of the Montréal CIUSSS (Integrated University Centre for Health and Social Services). The fifth one is located in the Centre-West of the island and will be assigned to one counsellor next year. Besides its head office, the Society operates four satellite offices and 10 service points.

one community, one cityThe Counselling Network is currently led by a part-time coordinator who is filling in for the permanent staff member during her maternity leave. She oversees the clinical super-vision and ensures that reliable, professional and specialized accompaniment services are provided for caregivers.

Trained to identify, advise and support caregivers looking after someone living with Alzheimer’s, at whatever stage of the disease, the Counselling Network team members are rooted in the community. They support the caregiver throughout the process by offering a range of services: needs assessment, consultations, information, helpful tips and referrals to existing resources.

Those who call on the Counselling Network’s services do so on a regular or one-time basis, in person, by phone or via email. This year, a total of 1,759 INTERVENTIONS benefited 700 CAREGIVERS: 397 CASE files were opened, 255 IN FRENCH, 126 IN ENGLISH, 9 IN SPANISH, and 7 IN ITALIAN.

coffee, please!We organize regular Alzheimer Cafés across the city to give caregivers the opportunity to socialize in an atmosphere that is both enjoyable and useful. These are relaxed meetings where participants can enjoy a good cup of coffee, take part in interesting activities and also learn more about a host of dementia-related topics.

Over the year, the 9 ALZHEIMER CAFÉS

§ 6 in French

§ 3 in English

§ welcomed 1,050 participants.

counselling networkMore often than not, people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia go through it in a state of isolation. Over time, we saw that it was necessary to reach out to caregivers, to establish closer contact with them and also with potential partners in the community.

A wonderful example of solidarity: Technical problems at the Langelier Library forced the November 2016 Alzheimer Café to make an unexpected move to the local McDonald’s restaurant. Thanks to the flexibility of the participants, the speakers—Danièle Arpoulet and Louise Valiquette, educators at PRH-International, an international school of education on Personality and Human Relations—the organizers and the McDonald’s restaurant manager, the café went ahead as planned. Well done to all involved!

From left to right : Liliana Ponce De Leon (West), Marie Christine (Coordinator), Jacques Couture (North), Jacinthe Duval (Centre-South), Jordan Fish (Intake and Referrals), Generosa De Cubellis (East).

a constantly changing portrait

As the following tables indicate, women aged 65 and over make up the bulk of caregivers looking after a spouse or a parent. However, this portrait is evolving, because as more and more women are working later in life, men and younger people are increasingly taking on the role of caregiver.

18

1

59

78

118

5561

82 3

132 WOMEN

MEN

AGE OF CAREGIVERS BY GENDER

under 35 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 and older UnknownYEARS

4 2

122

4825 28

6 3

155

Friend Spouse Family member

Parent Unknown

REALATIONSHIP TO THE PERSON LIVING WITH DEMENTIA ACCORDING TO GENDER OF CAREGIVER

WOMEN

MEN

improved efficiencyThis year, we created a new form to evaluate the needs of caregivers, which will result in a more systematic and harmonized method of data collection. In conjunction, we developed a new model for compiling statistical information

that will facilitate the reporting process and offer us a more complete picture.

An important change at the Counselling Network is that, since April 2016, its members will no longer have to take turns managing Intake and Referrals at the Society’s head office, as a social worker is now permanently assigned to the task. This means that the Counselling Network counsellors will now be able to devote themselves fully to their respective territories five days a week.

one community, many territories

The WEST OF MONTRÉAL territory strengthened its collaboration with CLSC LaSalle and presented a talk to the Support for Elderly Autonomy (SAPA) group at the CLSC Pierrefonds. Four mobile Alzheimer Cafés were organized in libraries in Dollard-des-Ormeaux and Lachine. Note that there is no waiting list for consultations in this sector.

The NORTH OF MONTRÉAL organized a special Alzheimer Café in collaboration with Les services d’aide Remue Ménage entitled Caregiving at Home and Interpersonal Relationships, presented by Mario Paquet, Ph.D., research fellow at the Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, which drew as many workers and practitioners as caregivers.

In addition, the counsellor for this sector represented the Society on the Comité des pratiques prometteuses (CPP) – Soutien psychosocial auprès des aidants de L’Appui national, which is working to elaborate the organization’s second guide to promising practices in respite care. This person also sits on the Bordeaux-Cartierville seniors’ steering committee and was invited to make a presentation on the Alzheimer Society of Montreal at the Christmas dinner organized by the local police station for isolated seniors who are living alone.

The CENTRE-SOUTH OF MONTRÉAL appointed a rep-resentative to sit on two new committees in the Sud-Ouest borough, Un pari pour nous and the organising committee for the Rendez-vous des aînés du Sud-Ouest.

The EAST OF MONTRÉAL territory embarked on a pilot project to come up with an alternative to the eight-hour information group, which some caregivers found too difficult


to commit to. The solution was to offer 2 sessions of 4 three-hour meetings, held in the evenings and on Saturdays. At least 5 people attended each meeting. These information sessions are useful for anyone who is unable to wait for an individual consultation to become available or for an eight-hour group to start up. And as the groups are small, the content can be personalized.

An increasing number of requests for consultations are being made by Italian families with first-generation parents who mostly speak Italian and second-generation adult children who work. The Alzheimer Cafés at the Langelier Library were extremely popular and a great success.

An interesting fact to note is that more and more consultations are being requested in Spanish and Italian in every territory in Montréal, and even though they do not come from the East of Montréal counsellor’s territory, it is this counsellor who goes to the Society’s head office to conduct them.

The harmonization of practices will continue next year, espe-cially as we start using our new guidelines and procedures manual and by ensuring closer clinical supervision.

In an ideal world…More Counselling Network counsellors

would make it possible to eliminate waiting lists for caregivers, foster the development of each territory, maintain partnerships and raise the visibility of the Society with health pro-fessionals and family medicine groups so that newly diagnosed cases would systematically be referred to us through the First Link tool.

Testimonials The Alzheimer Society of Montreal is an excellent organization. We have been very satisfied with the services for both of my parents who are now living in a CHSLD. I believe the services allowed me to keep them at home for longer. I hope this organi-zation will remain active for a long time to come, to continue helping families who are supporting one or more family members living with this disease. Thank you, again, for the services you gave us.

— Caregiver

Chalet Coolbrooke, DDO260 Spring Garden Street

Carrefour des 6–12 ans de Pierrefonds-Est Inc.4773 Lalande Boulevard


map of the service points

Degimi Gestion Inc.1855 du Havre Street, Office 107

CLSC Petite-Patrie 6520 Saint-Vallier Street

Foyer Dorval225 de la Présentation Avenue

CLSC Saint-Léonard5540 Jarry Street East

Baluchon Alzheimer10 138 Lajeunesse StreetOffice 200

Centre des loisirsde Ville Saint-Laurent1375 Grenet Street

GMF Clinique médicale Sainte-Colette11 520 Sainte-Colette StreetMontreal North

Cartierville Library5900 De Salaberry Street

CLSC Olivier-Guimond5810 Sherbrooke Street East

CLSC Mercier-Est-Anjou9503 Sherbrooke Street East

Corporation Mainbourg14 115 Prince-Arthur StreetOffice 426, Pointe-aux-Trembles

Alzheimer Society of Montreal4505 Notre-Dame Street West

Centre du Vieux Moulin de LaSalle7644 Édouard Street, Office 204


learn The eight-week support groups provide basic training in Alzhei-mer’s disease and other dementias. They offer caregivers an introduction to the disease and the various forms it can take, while helping them gain a better understanding of someone living with the disease and how best to care for them. This helps caregivers cope more easily. Moreover, the meetings offer caregivers the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the resources available and provide them with answers to questions of a practical nature.

In all, the 20 EIGHT-WEEK information groups—13 IN FRENCH and 7 IN ENGLISH—drew 90 and 56 participants respectively.

Caregivers can also attend teleconferences provided through The Caregiver Network, in the comfort of their own home. These teleconferences provide caregivers with practical infor-mation, help them break out of their isolation and encourage them to communicate with others.

This year, 9 TELECONFERENCES were offered, with an attendance of 112 PARTICIPANTS.

get help Once caregivers have completed the basic training, they can join a monthly support group for ongoing peer support and information. These groups also offer a reassuring environment where participants can share their emotions if the need arises. And they are encouraged to look after themselves as well. Each session focuses on topics that reflect the current realities of participants. Occasionally, a guest speaker is invited to present more technical issues, such as power of attorney.

The groups have a very positive effect; they break people’s isolation and provide a sense of belonging. They are proof of the adage “strength through unity.”

The 10 MONTHLY support groups—7 IN FRENCH and 3 IN ENGLISH—were attended by 68 AND 55 PARTICIPANTS respectively.

find empathyWhen caregivers lose a loved one who lived with Alzheimer’s disease, after having neglected their own needs for so long, they continue to need support to help them cope with their grief. The bereavement support group for caregivers is based on the program offered at Maison Monbourquette but adapted to the reality of a caregiver, which is somewhat different to other forms of bereavement.

In fact, a grieving caregiver has already gone through several stages of ambiguous loss, a sense of loss that begins with the diagnosis and continues as the disease progresses. This significantly changes the nature of the grieving process.

The group is open to caregivers three to six months following the person’s death, which allows the initial intense response to subside. Participants appreciate being able to communicate on the same level and experiencing the same emotions as others without feeling that any issue is taboo. The 10-week session focuses on various aspects of the topic of bereavement, from its history and heritage to the hidden faces of mourning.

This year, 6 PEOPLE attended the bereavement support group.

support for caregiversThe quality of life for an individual living with Alzheimer’s nearly always depends on a caregiver. Caring for someone with the disease is a little like taking on a new career you didn’t necessarily choose, which requires a crash course to prepare for and an extraordinary level of commitment. Fortunately, the Alzheimer Society of Montreal is there to lend a hand with its programs to inform and support caregivers.


In an ideal world…The Society would have the resources

necessary to develop coordinated action with the community and conduct a thorough re-evaluation of the needs of caregivers, whose profile is constantly changing.

take care of yourself

A few times a year, on Wednesday afternoons, a volunteer facilitator who practises meditation leads a meditation group for caregivers. The group attracted 6 PARTICIPANTS this year, but its popularity is sure to grow once more people find out about it.

receive acknowledgement Caregivers work tirelessly and often in the shadows. During Caregiver Week, intended to salute their dedication and commitment, caregivers were invited to a brunch that was organized entirely by a team of young people taking part in a McGill University student exchange program. A tremendous success, the event preceded the unveiling of the Society’s mural and was a wonderful demonstration of the benefits of intergenerational activities.

Moreover, from time to time, caregivers take part in research projects, such as the studies on end-of-life and physician-as-sisted dying, conducted by the Research Centre on Aging of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Sherbrooke.

Testimonials Anyone who is grieving should attend these mee-tings.

I appreciated the human warmth, openness and genuine compassion that I felt at every meeting.

I attend a support group. Our animator is a wonder-ful person who is very caring and supportive. She listens and understands and is always available to help. She helped me through a most difficult time when I had to place my mom in a residence. I could count on her to be there for me when I needed her the most. Her monthly meetings are like therapy for the whole group and I can say we all love her!

— Caregivers

Our of our support groups for caregivers ends with a celebration! Here the group poses with Marie Lefebvre, facilitator in training.

During a brunch held for National Caregiver’s Week, McGill University students asked our participants what inspired them most.


at the society or elsewhere…Our Educational Services offer four public conferences to groups of 15 people or more who put in a request. In addition to discussing the disease and how to care for a person living with dementia, these conferences encourage people whose lives have been affected to turn to the services offered by the Alzheimer Society of Montreal. The conferences may also be customized. Accordingly, this year, two conferences were adapted to the Montréal Volunteer Bureau, whose Meals on Wheels volunteers are in contact with individuals living with Alzheimer’s.

The presentations are delivered by six trained speakers, who are either Society employees or volunteers. Because the Soci-ety operates in a multicultural environment, the conferences may be given in French and English, and some may also be offered in Spanish, Italian, Armenian, Arabic or Farsi. One conference was presented in Italian at the Centre des femmes solidaires et engagées. We are continuing to forge ties with the Iranian and Afghan communities.

In 2016-2017, the Society presented 48 PUBLIC CONFER-ENCES—33 IN FRENCH and 15 IN ENGLISH, reaching a total of more than 1,540 PEOPLE.

As well, the Society regularly engages in outreach efforts in colleges and universities to raise awareness among young people. We visited Nesbitt Elementary School, as part of the Cook for a Cure gala. And we strengthened our partnerships with such research centres as the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, the Douglas Mental Health University Institute and the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal.

Véronique Fraser and Jean-Fréderic Ménard, from the MUHC Centre for Applied Ethics, hosted a seminar on health care decision making for caregivers and people living with Alzhei-mer’s in front of an audience of 25 PEOPLE.

The Society was also present at some 15 HEALTH SYMPOSIUMS and trade shows, along with other conferences presented in various research centres. What’s more, whenever events were being held in their territory, Counselling Network counsellors worked diligently to promote the Society.

experts at the societyThis year, as part of a conference series, experts were invited to speak on a variety of topics chosen to enrich the knowledge of participants (see table). The series was a great success and will be repeated in the spring.

SPECIALIZED CONFERENCES PARTICIPANTS

An update on the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Dr. Serge Gauthier

60

Enhancing Life Through Meditation: A Brain Fitness Program for Older People

Dr. N.P. Vasavan Nair

35

Carpe Diem: A Different View, a Different Approach

Nicole Poirier

70

Contemporary Dementia Care – New Trends in Practice and Care

David Troxel

80

Total 245

educational servicesWe know that knowledge is power. That is why education is one of the most crucial aspects of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal’s mission. The primary goal is to train those who have the ability to change the way things are currently being done, namely caregivers, health practitioners who work with people living with the disease and, of course, the public.


for healthcare professionals…This year, 18 FOUR-HOUR WORKSHOPS offered basic training for the Society’s healthcare professionals, including two very popular sessions on intimacy, sexuality and dementia.

The Federation of Quebec Alzheimer Societies oversaw a multi-format training program. This year, we offered 12 HOURS OF TRAINING on the topic of providing day-to-day support for someone living with the disease and nine hours on challenging behaviours.

A new training program, consisting of two 18-hour sessions, was developed in partnership with the Federation of Quebec Alzheimer Societies and L’Appui national, geared to non-profit organizations offering respite services to people caring for individuals with dementia.

The numbers on the Society’s educational efforts come in lower than last year, at 139.5 HOURS OF TRAINING and 235 PARTICIPANTS. This reduction is due to several factors. On one hand, a great deal of energy was devoted to integrating the new training programs. On the other, many organizations offering similar training have emerged, because specific training in dementia is now a fully integrated part of nursing and community care programs, and, owing to budget restrictions, many residences have developed their own programs. Furthermore, community organizations are training their members and volunteers based on the Alzheimer Society of Montreal’s training and conferences.

Always committed to reaching out to the community, the Society provides training to private agencies through its Educational Services. A series of sessions was offered to the

employees of We Care Home Health Services, while, for Agence Ometz, the Society covers the dementia-related aspects of its training for people wishing to work as companions for seniors.

Educational Services also provided training to a group of research assistants at the Lady Davis Institute, the research arm of Montréal’s Jewish General Hospital, and hope to repeat the experience with other young researchers.

cultivating innovationTo ensure that our educational program remains relevant and up-to-date on new developments in the field, the coordinator of Educational Services sits on the training committee of the Federation of Quebec Alzheimer Societies. In addition, the Society’s volunteer education committee provides a sound framework for the Educational Services and is made up of highly qualified professionals from the fields of education and dementia.

The coordinator also took part in a number of conferences, symposiums and seminars, including McGill University’s sym-posium on research into brain health, the Séminaire interdis-ciplinaire en gériatrie, and the symposiums on the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia presented by the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal.

Dr. Serge Gauthier, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, launching our Conference Series in September 2016.

In an ideal world…Basic training in dementia would be included

in college and university programs. The Society’s Educational Services could then focus its efforts on professional development for healthcare practitio-ners, who would already be trained in person-centred care, so that they could bring about change in their respective fields to improve the quality of life of people living with Alzheimer’s disease. In this way, Educational Services could concentrate on designing workshops and classes for caregivers, whose num-bers and responsibilities are increasing every day.


where the money comes from vital subsidiesThe Society has been able to operate for a long time without needing to rely on subsidies. However, the magnitude of our task has meant we have had no option but to turn to this source of funding, which now makes up slightly more than 32% of the organization’s revenues.

For several years now, L’Appui pour les proches aidants d’aînés de Montréal has supported the Society’s programs through recurring subsidies, which will continue until March 31, 2019. This year, the Society received $268,789 for the Counselling Network, $116,363 for the activity centres and $155,266 for the in-home respite and stimulation services, for a total of $540,418.

This is extraordinarily helpful, and the Society is deeply grateful to L’Appui Montréal, which does excellent work to foster complementarity between community resources. Nevertheless, the possibility of losing these subsidies is a shadow that constantly hangs over the Society. So many of our programs for Montrealers depend on them.

The Society also receives a grant from the Programme de soutien aux organismes communautaires (PSOC) funding program, whose mandate is to support organizations such as ours. In spite of our repeated annual applications for a $250,000 grant—which would be proportionally consistent with grants provided to similar organizations—the Society only received $105,973 this year, and next year this number will drop to $96,973.

The Society also obtained a grant in the amount of $44,000 from Employment and Social Development Canada to renovate the bathrooms in the basement and adapt them for users of the planned activity centre.

essential bequests and planned gifts

Bequests and planned gifts come in many forms: bequests of all kinds, publicly traded securities, flow-through shares, charitable trusts or life insurance policies that name the Society as the owner or beneficiary.

This year, bequests and planned gifts made up 23% of the Society’s revenues. The numbers fluctuate from one year to

a responsible organizationThe Alzheimer Society of Montreal’s priorities are to contribute to the well-being of people living with the disease and their caregivers, provide training for healthcare professionals, inform the public and promote research on dementia.

To fulfil its role, the Society must rely on diverse sources of funding. It strictly and diligently manages the funds it is entrusted with.

17 %Annual Campaigns

23 %Legacies and

Planned Giving

3 %Interests and others

4 %Programs and Services

31 %Grants

15 %Fund-Raising Activities

7 %In Memoriam Donations

A RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATION | 23

the next, but the TOTAL AMOUNT GIFTED TO THE SOCIETY THIS YEAR WAS $484,586, more than double the figure from last year.

Obtaining these types of gifts is a long-term cultivation process for the Society, as we must first reach and persuade a donor and then wait for the donation to materialize. Nevertheless, we hope this type of giving grows, as it benefits both the donor and the Society.

annual appealsThe Society also conducts annual campaigns in collaboration with its members, individuals, businesses, foundations, reli-gious communities, members of parliament and employee benevolent funds, such as those run by HealthPartners.

The annual campaigns and few donations specifically earmarked for research, garnered the Society $350,437 THIS YEAR, OR SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 16% OF ITS REVENUES.

fundraising activitiesEach year, the Society organizes various fundraising activities. Its two traditional events, the Walk for Alzheimer’s and the Hector “Toe” Blake Alzheimer Celebrity Golf Tournament, brought in close to $165,000.

Third-party events constitute a third fundraising pillar, as they RAISE JUST OVER $150,000. They may take the form of social, sports, educational, professional, commercial or commemorative events organized by individuals or orga-nizations, and they may be one-time or recurring activities.

THIRD-PARTY EVENTS

EVENT ORGANIZERS

Acapella Sounds choral ensemble Louise Lemonde

Saint-Herménégilde seniors’ club Paul-Émile Bouchard

Collège Héritage de Châteauguay Andrew Newcombe

Les insomniaques benefit concert Collège Rosemont

Défi Raymonde-Laberge-Dupras Jean-François Dupras

Lachine Bonneville Half-Marathon* Eric Poulin and François RochonDesjardins Pointe-Claire Half-Marathon* Eric Poulin and François RochonCook For a Cure Gala* Vince LacroceIrish Mingle Danny and Shawn Doyle

FlagPlus Football League Robert Campana

Bulk Barn stores Aliments Bulk Barn limitée

Mike and Stacy Pinho’s wedding Stacy Pinho

A Night to Remember* Mark and Scott Broady as well as David GoldSt-Hubert Restaurant – Complexe Desjardins Ian Labelle

St-Hubert Restaurant – Windsor Station Mathieu Bélanger

Stefano di Giovanni spaghetti dinner* Maria di GiovanniStikeman Elliott, law firm Donna Larivière

Tea & Conversations Roxanne Dyer and Homeira Mortazavi

Thomson Reuters – Éditions Yvon Blais Luc Thibodeau

Pepper card tournament Chevaliers de Colomb de Lachine (Guy Lacoste)

Westmount One Simona Buth

*Events that raised over $10,000

In an ideal world…The future of the Alzheimer

Society of Montreal and its abi-lity to respond to the growing demand for services would be assured until such time as a cure renders the Society redundant.

Another wish-list item: a performing artist would offer the balcony seats for one of their shows to people living with the disease, caregivers and Society volunteers


In total, the Society’s annual fundraising activities and third-party events generated $315,812, or almost 15% OF REVENUES.

memorial donationsTribute or in-memoriam donations are meaningful ways to honour someone or mark a birthday or anniversary, a baptism, a wedding, a death or any other significant life event.

This year, tribute and in-memoriam donations amounted to a TOTAL OF $146,008, OR CLOSE TO 7% OF REVENUES.

other revenuesTo balance its budget, the Society has had to charge a minimum fee for its services. Nevertheless, it should be noted that no person in need who is unable to pay is refused any service. This year, SERVICE FEES BROUGHT IN $89,672, or slightly more than 4% OF REVENUES.

On the other side of the ledger, the Society has two tenants this year. Rent and interest on investments together generated $63,338, or a little more than 3% OF REVENUES.

where the money goesmajor expensesExpenses are divided into three categories. Carrying out its mission consumes 73% of the Society’s budget ($1,530,993), fundraising, close to 18% ($369,141) and administration, slightly in excess of 9% ($200,111).

73%Mission

18%Fundraising

9%Administration

direct servicesThe largest spending area ($1,530,993), which is related to the Society’s mission, breaks down as follows:

EXPENDITURES

new next yearTo the delight of cycling enthusiasts, the 2017 edition of the Hector “Toe” Blake Alzheimer Celebrity Golf Tournament will be paired with a cycling challenge, which will be headed by Stéphane Quintal, Senior Vice-President of the Player Safety Department of the NHL and a former Montréal Canadiens defenseman. He will also share honorary co-president duties for the Golf Tournament with Jacques Aubé, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the CH Group’s evenko division. This promises to be a memorable event!

Two years ago, the Society decided to bring the curtain down on its annual ball, whose format had become somewhat outdated. Last year, it was replaced by a poker tournament, which, although successful, did not achieve the goal we had hoped for. Presently, a committee is looking at organizing a signature event that will be held on January 30, 2018 to wrap up Awareness Month. This is expected to take the form of a casual interactive networking activity. A date you won’t want to miss!

Intake, consultations and awareness 31%

Respite and stimulation 27%

Services to the community 12%

Future activity centre project 11%

Educational services 8%

Services to families 6%

Communications 5%

SOLID SUPPORT | 25

On March 31, 2017, the Alzheimer Society of Montreal benefited from the invaluable support of 358 ACTIVE MEMBERS, made up of 75% WOMEN and 25% MEN, which corresponds to the caregivers’ profile. With respect to language, 65% WERE FRENCH speakers and 35% WERE ENGLISH speakers, which is a fairly accurate reflection of Montréal’s population.

rights and responsibilities

Members vote at the annual general meeting and at all special general meetings as needed, they ratify the Society’s general by-laws, appoint auditors and elect the members of the board of directors. Members also uphold the vision, mission, values and goals of the Society.

a mission underpinned by a visionThe mission of the Society is to alleviate the social and personal consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, promote research into their causes and lead the search for a cure. In addition, the Society endeavours to be a role model for learning and teaching dedicated to people living with Alzheimer’s as well as their families, healthcare professionals and the public.

high-quality programs and services

The Society’s primary focus is on offering quality programs and services to people with Alzheimer’s and to caregivers, adapted to their needs and which benefit the greatest number of people. We take care to avoid overlapping these services with other community stakeholders, and we continuously work to improve them.

To this end, we hire qualified, motivated staff, all of whom undergo a standard orientation process. Roles are clearly defined, and performance reviews, feedback and recognition are provided. The Society guides its employees and its board of directors, and determines each of their responsibilities and accountability processes.

concern for efficiencyAware of the need for efficiency, the Society assesses the relevance of every dollar spent. However, to ensure it has the funds needed to fulfil its ambitions, the Society runs ever-evolving annual campaigns, seeks ways to achieve the full potential of special activities and third-party events, con-stantly works to find ways of expanding its list of potential donors and maximizes large, planned and monthly gifts.

mobilizing influenceIn strengthening its ties with local organizations, the Society contributes to the synergy of the health sector, and in this way engages with the community.

To raise awareness among the public as well as health providers, the Society uses its educational policy and training programs, organizes talks and seminars, ensures its publications and Documentation Centre are constantly being improved, orga-nizes more networking activities, and takes full advantage of social media.

Finally, the Society strives to increase interest in research, support innovative research projects and create a learning environment where clinicians, program developers, patients, and care staff can get involved in developing and implementing practical solutions to mitigate the effects of the disease and open up new avenues of research and treatment.

solid supportmembersAs a non-profit organization, the Alzheimer Society of Montreal is supported by its members, who form the foundation of its democratic structure and community culture.


volunteersA community organization cannot survive without the invaluable contribution of volunteers, who donate their time, knowledge, experience and energy. As part of the ongoing restructuring process, in September, the Alzheimer Society of Montreal created a part-time position to recruit and coordinate volunteers, which in the past had been the responsibility of the fundraising events coordinator.

The new coordinator, who is currently completing a degree in Leisure Sciences at Concordia University, first became involved in volunteering at the age of eight, when her family took her with them to do some volunteer work in Haiti. She has continued ever since, serving for two and a half years as the Community Connections Coordinator for a Moncton-area orga-nization, where her duties included coordinating volunteers who welcomed Syrian refugees to Canada. Her journey is proof that volunteering really can lead to a host of opportunities.

The coordinator’s fist task was to update the database of volunteers. In all, 370 were still active. In slightly more than 6 MONTHS, this number rose to 420, an increase of 13.5%.

Recruiting volunteers occupies half the coordinator’s time. The selection is based on the following criteria: commitment to volunteering for the Alzheimer Society of Montreal; reliability; sense of responsibility; interest in the cause; and qualities needed to work with persons with diminished capacity, espe-cially empathy and patience.

Volunteers are recruited mainly from among the student population, from university volunteer fairs for example, but

also from community organizations that do volunteer work, businesses that encourage their employees to volunteer, and even on social media.

Volunteers take care of administrative duties, help with the logistics of annual fundraising events, such as the Hector “Toe” Blake Alzheimer Celebrity Golf Tournament and the Walk for Alzheimer’s, lend a hand in the activity centres and also pitch in with organizing specific activities, including the Society’s 35th anniversary celebrations and the unveiling of its mural.

The Society is planning to produce an orientation handbook soon, and it will also be adopting a volunteer recognition policy.

In an ideal world…The Society would be able to increase the

number of hours assigned to the volunteer coor-dinator or, even better, turn the position into a full-time job. The addition of a few more hours would allow us to invest in fostering a sense of loyalty and pride among volunteers, which would give the Society a real boost. We could also create a roving team to respond to the specific needs of the Society’s different services.

Our volunteers in action: Sandra Sanchez, Huguette Pagé, Ron Hughes, Anne-Marie Mirza, and Gerrine Hughes – at the Alzheimer Café of the Langelier Library, at a conference entitled: “Challenges and Strategies for Communiction” given by Michelyne Hubert, speech and language therapist from l’IUGM, followed by a concert-performance offered by le Choeur de l’aphasie from the Association Québecoise des Personnes Aphasiques. Thanks to the precious help and support of all our volunteers, the activity, which gathered a total of 58 people in all, was a great success!

SOLID SUPPORT | 27

staff

Coordinator Support Services

Caregivers

Coordinator Support Services

People Living with AD

Coordinator Counselling Network

Counsellors

Coordinator Respite & Stimulation

In-Home Respite

Activity Centres Team

Recall List Activity Centres

executive director

directorprograms & services

coordinator communications

administrative assistant

Receptionist

Assistant Documentation

Coordinator Educational Services

Trainers

Support Group Leaders

Lecturers (volunteers)

Art Therapist

Assistant Programs &

Services

Counsellor Intake and Referrals

Coordinator Financial

Development

Assistant Financial

Development

director financial

development

Coordinator Volunteers

LUCIE SYLVESTRE

Lucie Sylvestre has worked for the Society for just over 15 years, first as a receptionist and then as Documenta-tion Assistant. Lucie has played an important role, demonstrating strong leadership before, during and after the Society’s move to its new home. Fortunately for us, she has agreed to remain on stand-by to respond to SOS calls should the Society have need of her precious services in the future. Both management and her colleagues wish her a very happy retirement.


democratic structure

DOLLY DASTOOR, Ph.D.

Dr. Dolly Dastoor, a clinical psychologist specialized in cognitive disorders, is a founding member of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal. She served on its board of directors for 35 uninterrupted years and as its president from 1984 to 1985 and from 1987 to 1990. This year, Dolly is taking a well-deserved break and stepping down from the board. She has been a model of untiring dedication. Her expertise will be sorely missed, but she can leave with a great sense of accomplishment. The Society owes her so much and is deeply grateful for all she has done.

Strategic planning

recruitment and appointment

Finance and Audit Committee

Communications Committee

Human Resources Committee

Alzheimer Service Centre Committee

general assembly

board of directors

executive committee

Bequests and Planned Gifts Sub-Committee

Financial Development Committee

Programs and Services Committee

Education Sub-Committee

SOLID SUPPORT | 29

partners and supportersThe Alzheimer Society of Montreal wishes to thank its many partners and supporters.

§ Henri-Bradet Day Centre, St-Margaret Day Centre, Lachine Day Centre, and the Berthiaume-du Tremblay Day Centre: for opening their doors to Saturday activity centres

§ Baluchon Alzheimer, Carrefour des 6-12 ans de Pierrefonds-Est Inc., Corporation Mainbourg, Degimi gestion Inc., and Services Plus des Trois pignons: for providing spaces for the Counselling Network’s satellite offices

§ CLSC Olivier-Guimond, CLSC Mercier-Est-Anjou, Sainte-Colette FMG medical clinic, Cartierville Library, Saint-Laurent recreation centre, CLSC Petite-Patrie, Dorval residential care centre, Chalet Coolbrooke in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, and the Centre du Vieux Moulin de LaSalle: for opening their doors to Counselling Network service points

§ Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: for its Art Links program, a continued source of creativity and enjoyment for all involved

§ McCord Museum: for its innovative intergenerational program entitled Sharing Our memories, Our Stories, to which the Society contributed by providing training for 14- to 17-year-olds

§ Atwater Library and Computer Centre, Little Brothers of Montréal, Langelier Library, Henri-Bourassa Library, Cartierville Library, Café de Da d’Ahuntsic, Beaconsfield Library, City of Pierrefonds, Saul-Bellow Library in Lachine, and the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Seniors Club: for hosting Alzheimer Cafés

§ Greene Avenue and St-Charles Boulevard Starbucks locations, Métro Plus – Alimentation Fiorello Vellucci, Pierrefonds Boulevard and Sources Boulevard Tim Hortons locations, and Les Délices Lafrenaie: for supplying the Alzheimer Cafés with coffee and pastries

§ NOVA West Island and Le temps d’une pause: for their contribution in developing respite services for families, offered in tandem with the Society’s caregiver support groups

§ Italian-Canadian Community Services of Quebec: for their contribution in developing services for caregivers in the Italian community

§ Triest Day Centre, CLSC Rivière-des-Prairies, CLSC Olivier-Guimond, CHSLD Bayview, CLSC Saint-Léonard, Vers Vous centre, Service Plus des Trois

Pignons, Carrefour des 6-12 ans de Pierrefonds-Est Inc., CLSC Mercier-Est-Anjou, and the Cartierville Library: for hosting support groups and helping to provide education and support for caregivers

§ Health care professionals from the CIUSSS (Integrated University Centre for Health and Social Services) and Montréal community organizations: for contributing their time and skills, and for their spirit of collaboration and extraordinary generosity

§ Vanier College, LaSalle College and Concordia University’s Institute for Co-operative Education: for referring the highest calibre students from their Special Care Counselling, Art Therapy, and Marketing programs to us

Information sharing and concrete collaborations with various organizations:

§ Alliances 3e âge Grand Plateau § Alzheimer Groupe Inc. § AQPAMM § Baluchon Alzheimer § Beaconsfield Library

§ Cartierville Library

§ Bibliothèque de la Maison culturelle et communautaire Montréal-Nord

§ Mile-End Library

§ Frontenac Library

§ Henri-Bourassa Library

§ Langelier Library

§ Centre des femmes solidaires et engagées § Centre Évasion

§ CLSC Plateau-Mont-Royal § Centre communautaire Bon Courage § Centre récréatif des aînés haïtiens de Montréal-Nord § Support Centre for Immigrant Communities (CACI) § Centre d’action bénévole de Bordeaux-Cartierville § Centre d’action bénévole de Montréal-Nord § Centre de Loisirs communautaires Lajeunesse § Centre des aînés de Pointe-Saint-Charles § Centre des Aînés de Villeray


§ Centre d’hébergement de Dorval § Centre d’Intégration Multi-Services de l’Ouest de l’Île (CIMOI)

§ Centre d’Union Multiculturelle et Artistique des Jeunes (CUMAJ)

§ CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal § CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal § CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal § CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal § CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal § Frontenac metro medical clinic (Tours Frontenac) § Dollard-des-Ormeaux Seniors Club § Comité des Organismes Sociaux de Saint-Laurent (COSSL) § Conseil Local des Intervenants Communautaires (CLIC) § Conseil Régional des Personnes Âgées Italo-Canadiannes

(CRAIC) § Corporation culturelle latino-américaine de l’amitié (COCLA)

§ Corporation de développement communautaire de Rivière-des-Prairies

§ Corporation Mainbourg

§ Dorval Community Aid

§ Entraide St-Léonard

§ Famille nouvelle

§ Sainte-Colette FMG medical clinic

§ Medistat FMG

§ Groupe des Aidants du Sud-Ouest

§ Groupe d’entraide Alzheimer de Montréal-Nord

§ Hay Doun

§ The Teapot 50+ Community Centre

§ Le temps d’une pause

§ Les services d’aide Remue Ménage

§ Maison de la culture Frontenac

§ NOVA West Island

§ West Island Citizen Advocacy

§ Little Brothers of Montréal

§ Plumeau, chiffon et compagnie

§ PRÉSÂGES

§ Projet Changement

§ Regroupement des aidantes et aidants naturels de Montréal (RAANM)

§ Regroupement des organismes pour aînés et aînées du Sud-Ouest de Montréal (ROPASOM)

§ Réseau d’action pour les aidants de Jeanne-Mance (RAAJ)

§ East Island Network for English Language Services (REISA)

§ Resto-Plateau

§ School of Continuing Studies, McGill University

§ Italian-Canadian Community Services of Quebec (SCCIQ)

§ Services Plus des Trois pignons

§ Soins Gabrielle

§ Table Alliances 3e âge Grand Plateau

§ Table de concertation des aînés d’Ahuntsic

§ Table de concertation des aînés de Bordeaux-Cartierville

§ Table de concertation des aînés de Montréal-Nord

§ Table de concertation des aînés de Ville-Saint-Laurent

§ Table de concertation pour les besoins des aînés de l’Ouest-de-l’Île

§ Table de concertation Vivre Saint-Michel en santé § Vers vous § Montréal Women’s Y § West Island YMCA

§ Du Parc YMCA

SOLID SUPPORT | 31

As active members of the following associations, commit-tees, boards and professional orders, the employees of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal increase the visibility and credibility of our organization.

§ Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP)

§ Quebec’s Art Therapy Association (AATQ)

§ Association des professionnels en gestion philanthropique (APGP)

§ Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) – Québec

§ Volunteer Bureau of Montréal

§ McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging – Education Committee

§ Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal

§ Comité Aînés du COSSL

§ Territory of the CIUSSS de l’Est de l’Île mobilization committee (with L’Appui Montréal)

§ Territory of the CIUSSS du Nord de l’Île mobilization committee (with L’Appui Montréal)

§ Comité des organismes sociaux de Saint-Laurent (COSSL)

§ Conseil Local des Intervenants Communautaires de Bordeaux-Cartierville (CLIC)

§ Federation of Quebec Alzheimer Societies (FQAS): board of directors, executive directors’ committee, and other committees

§ Fédération québécoise du loisir en institution (FQLI)

§ L’Appui pour les proches aidants d’aînés de Montréal

§ Le Réseau aidant

§ Les services d’aide Remue Ménage

§ Ordre professionnel des travailleurs sociaux et thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec (OTSTCFQ)

§ Réseau d’action pour les aidants de Jeanne-Mance (RAAJ)

§ Italian-Canadian Community Services of Quebec (SCCIQ)

§ Société de développement économique du Quartier du Canal

§ Table Alliances 3e âge Grand Plateau

§ Table centrale du conseil local des intervenants § Table de concertation des aînés de Bordeaux-Cartierville § Table de concertation des aînés de Montréal-Est /Pointe-

aux-Trembles § Table de concertation des aînés de Montréal-Nord § Table de concertation du sud de l’Ouest-de-l’Île (TQSOI) § Table de concertation et d’action pour les aînés

d’Ahuntsic § Table de concertation Solidarité Mercier-Est § Table de concertation sur les besoins des aînés de

l’Ouest de Montréal § Table de concertation Vivre Saint-Michel en Santé § Table des aînés de Rivière-des-Prairies § Table des 50 ans et plus Dorval-Lachine § Table intersectorielle Abus-Maltraitance-Isolement (AMI)

des aînés de Villeray/Petite-Patrie

KEY PARTNER IN DEVELOPING SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS AND MOBILISING THE COMMUNITY:

www.lappuimontreal.org


a strong presenceIn this age of information, the Alzheimer Society of Montreal has a strong presence across the island, thanks not only to the services it offers but also to its effective use of both traditional and modern communication tools.

Each interconnecting piece of the Society contributes to raising its profile: its head office in the Centre-South of Montréal; its 10 service points spread throughout the other four territories of the city; its Counselling Network, which reaches out to even more Montréal neighbourhoods, providing local support services to caregivers; its Educational Services, which promote the Society’s services and activities to local populations and organizations; and last but not least, the invaluable skills and positive attitudes of every employee and volunteer.

programTo publicize its activities, three times a year, the Society publishes a comprehensive program with information on the services available for people living with the disease and for caregivers, the Alzheimer Cafés taking place in each part of the city and monthly schedules of activities, training sessions, workshops and conferences. The program is also posted on the Society’s website.

annual reportFollowing the termination of the Communications Coordi-nator’s position due to budgetary constraints, all electronic media-related tasks are now being assumed by the Society’s receptionist, who is highly experienced in this area and who plans on maximizing the use of social media.

The production of this annual report was the responsibility of the Director of Programs and Services. We hired an external writer to draft the report and opted to take a new approach to its content. More than a purely administrative document for members, the revamped report is designed to reach all the other audiences we hope to connect with: service requesters, funding agencies, current and potential donors, and volunteers.

Our objective is to achieve two goals—to inform and promote—at once. In this way, we hope our annual report will have a much broader application.

spokespersons

Our spokespersons, most of whom are or were caregivers, have been highly active again this year, generously sharing their personal experiences and stories at Alzheimer Cafés and in the Society’s direct mailings.

awarenessAs part of Alzheimer Awareness Month, the Alzheimer Society of Montreal joined the Alzheimer Society of Canada in launch-ing the #InItForAlz national campaign that asked Canadians to unite and support research to find a cure for dementia and help mitigate its effects. The campaign also sought to change the conversation about a disease that continues to be

On World Alzheimer's Day, Marie Christine Le Bourdais represented the Society at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. She is pictured here at our information booth just before giving a presentation.

STRONG PRESENCE | 33

In an ideal world…Communication would flow in a constant

and interactive manner between the Society and its target audience. The population of Montréal would be well aware of the Society, what it offers and how to contact us.

Media of every stripe would give the cause the attention it deserves, from human, scientific and socio-economic perspectives alike.

shrouded in silence and dispel defeatist attitudes stemming from a lack of faith in the future of research.

The Society was also on hand to answer questions at an information table set up for the 30th anniversary of the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, at a conference on the impact of the disease on individuals and their families, given by the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), and also at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital’s World Alzheimer’s Day event.

The Society benefited from wide media coverage. April Hay-ward, our Director of Programs and Services, and neurologist Dr. Howard Chertkow took part in CBC’s Radio Noon to discuss dementia, support for people with the disease and the Alz-heimer Society of Montreal. April also spoke at a conference during the third Quebec Congress on Alzheimer’s Disease and was then joined by Dr. Christian Bocti for an interview with the daily La Tribune. As well, a team from MaTV’s English-language talk show Montreal Billboard came to shoot a segment on volunteering, art therapy and fundraising, which included an interview with one of the organizers of the third-party event A Night to Remember.

The unveiling of a mural to celebrate the Society’s 35th anniversary was without doubt the high point of the year in terms of visibility. In addition to establishing the Society’s identity in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood, the work talks of the importance of surrounding a person with human warmth, which lies at the heart of the Society’s mission.

During Alzheimer Awareness Month, April Hayward and Dr. Alain Robillard, Neurologist, were interviewed on “Ça me regarde”, a show on Ami-Télé.

Scott Broady, volunteer and co-founder of “A Night To Remember” was interviewed on Montreal Billboard, a show on MAtv.

April Hayward, Director of Programs and Services, presented a conference at the 3rd Congrès québécois sur la maladie d'Alzheimer et les maladies apparentées, in Sherbrooke. An article was subsequently published in the local newspaper La Trubune.


images of the year

Mrs. Maria Di Giovanni organized An evening in honour of Stefano Di Giovanni along with her daughter Sonia and her son Frank on Saturday, November 5, 2016. Here she is posing with a plaque recognizing her efforts, with Gerard Briand, Director of Financial Developement, and two of the Society’s counsellors, Generosa Di Cubellis and Jacinthe Duval.

Raymond Lattaro singing Elvis Presley's Blue Christmas during the Alzheimer Café, at Langelier Library, December 2016.

Brothers Mark and Scott Broady, along with David Gold, presented the Society with a cheque of $52,000, raised during the 5th annual A Night to Remember.

Robert Campana, president of Flagplus Football (second from the right) hosted an Overnight Charity Flagplus Football Tournament, the week-end of December 2-4, 2016

Mathieu Bélanger, manager of Resto Saint-Hubert at Windsor Station, organized Une Soirée en blanc on December 21, 2016. On behalf of the Saint-Hubert Foundation, Mr. Bélanger proudly presented $2,000 to the Society.

The Conference Series organizing committee (Mona Beck, Dayna Morrow, Dolly Dastoor, April Hayward, Rita Bonar and Teresa Anuza, missing: Daphne Nahmiash and Flora Masella) with David Troxel, author and co-creator of the Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care.

IMAGES OF THE YEAR | 35

images of the year

Parishioners of The Church of Saint John the Baptist in Pointe-Claire started making "memory muffs" last year and donated 100 for the Alzheimer Society of Montreal to use in its programs.

Teresa Anuza, Coordinator of Educational Services, with volunteer Ron Hughes at the McGill Symposium on Advances in Research on Brain Health.

From left to right: Nicole Poirier, Director of Carpe Diem Resource Centre on Alzheimer’s, Teresa Anuza, Coordinator of Educational Services, and Gérald Hubert, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal.

The organizing committee for National Caregiver’s Week: students participating in the N.U.in Canada Program along with Dr. Guy Mineau (on the left), Director, School of Continuing Studies, McGill University.

The De Vito Family at the Walk for Alzheimer’s 2016 on the Quays of the Old-Port

Michel D’Amour is pictured with his latest creation from the art therapy sessions.

Artist Julian Palma and President Nora Kelner are photographed during the unveiling of the mural “Mémoire du coeur”.

www.alzheimer.ca/montreal

report 2016-2017 - alzheimeralzheimer.ca/montreal/~/media/files/chapters-qc/montreal/richard/... ·...

Documents